Guess it is over 3 years old....back on September 16, 2007, I bought the Panasonic Pro-Curve Pivot Action Shaving System/Rechargeable, Model ES7037CMB from drugstore.com

A few months ago, I was starting to find it annoying that the battery was running down really quickly. I was only getting 1 or 2 shaves out of it. I started thinking that it was time to get a new shaver...and I did find some that were interesting, but of course pretty fancy and expensive. So, it was low on my priority of things to get....plus I had just replaced the blades in the shaver.

While I was researching shavers and such, I came across ShaverOutlet.com. They carried batteries listed as compatible replacements. Seemed like an affordable risk...plus if it didn't work, then I'd have the excuse to move up purchase of a new shaver

I finally got around to performing the operation today. Only one screw visible on the bottom, so I didn't think it would be too hard...except the one precision screwdriver I needed, was the one that I couldn't find. (though I just found my autoloader, perhaps that would've had the tip I needed.) But once I had the bottom off, it was clear there was more to taking it apart. There were two screws visible, but clearly not enough...but looks like the rubber panel comes off.

Later I found it comes off in two pieces. And, now there were 6 screws visible, but did I really need to get them all out. Hoping there was a not quite visible seam that would appear later like when I removed the grip panels. I then went online looking for a manual. Found the user's manual, and it described the procedure for taking it apart. Though the intent of the directions was for removing the batteries prior to disposal. But, it got me to where I could see the old batteries.

Not without encountering one screw that was a little stubborn at coming out, and the head was starting to strip. Since the precision screwdriver I was using was a little small for the job. I thought about what to do, then I remembered that I had picked on the console access kit from Thinkgeek a while back. That had the perfect tip and out came the last screw.

I looked at the old and new batteries. The old batteries and a longer post on one end, and no markings as to polarity. I managed to get one out, the other was a little bit more stubborn...but eventually it came out. Though the holder and circuit board came lose and there was this odd piece of white plastic.

I looked back at the batteries, the new ones had same size posts on each end but it was clearly marked on polarity. Guess I could check with a multimeter. Except that I couldn't find my good one, and the cheap one was missing its test leads. I improvised some leads using power cords and other bits of metal. The end with the dark cap and long post seems to be the positive. Later I noticed the new batteries had a black band on its positive end.

The batteries came with a black rubber pad on the side, since the old battery was quite s snug fit...I scraped it off. And, then tried to put the battery in. Seems its a smidge bigger/longer than the original. So had to use some force to get it to snap in.

After some examination, I figured out the odd white piece of plastic was the linkage between the switch on the front to the switch on the circuit board. Surprised there's so little to it and everything. I seemed to have things in the right place, so I proceeded to reassemble the shaver.

The two halves didn't quite go together as nicely as before, and actually a bit of force was needed to get them close enough to get the sides to snap back in properly. D'oh, forgot those metal clips at the top....

I had tried to test starting the shaver before I had it completely closed, but it wouldn't work. Wasn't until it was completely reassembled that it came to life when I worked the switch. Didn't check the new batteries if they had any power to them, so it could just have been completely dead... Wonder if there's an interlock I missed, or if the control linkage was loose when I tried it the first time. That's a good sign. Would also meant the batteries were in the correct orientation.

I plugged it in to charge, and it seemed okay with that too.

Since the operation was prompted by it running down instantly as I was intending to shave....I used it. It not only works, but it seems to have more power to a shave...even more than before after a fresh charge. Guess, some how the old batteries were more weak than just reduced charge holding.

While I could probably keep doing this as long as I can get replacement batteries. I probably won't do this operation again. Still want a new shaver at some point....

But, now I can focus on the new toothbrush. Not sure if replacing the battery in it is possible...but the handle is getting kind of icky. It doesn't seem to brush as well as it did, but that could be the batteries being old...or not. Guess the Oral-B Triumph 9400 Professional is over 3 years old too. I had gotten it on October 29, 2007, also from drugstore.com.

Now instead of subjecting some poor random forum to a long rambling thought, I will try to consolidate those things into this blog where they can be more easily ignored profess to be collected thoughts from my mind.